1. < COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Travel to high altitude with lung condition: Need to take precautions?

Posted by sistertwo @sistertwo, Sep 23, 2020

We are planning a road trip to CO to see our daughter (who is isolated and Covid free) and I am wondering what people do when a person has COPD when going to a higher elevation (7240 ft). We have been there several times before, but not since he had an ablation on his heart a couple years ago. His heart is good now, but his oxygen level is typically around 91-92. Thank you.

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davej | @davej | Sep 24, 2020
In reply to @sistertwo "Thank you! We decided to make a loop trip and go down to TX to see..." + (show)
@sistertwo

Thank you! We decided to make a loop trip and go down to TX to see our other daughter, too. Her work has a Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the hotel she manages so the timing works to see both of them.
I hadn't realized South Africa was a higher altitude, but an African Safari is on our bucket list. I don't suppose there is a leaf like that around here.
I have heard of even healthy people using O2 on their first night of being in the Vail/Avon area, but I don't know how it works. Does it require a mask? Is it something we should get here in Minnesota before we leave or wait until we get into CO? Do you return the bottles? Sorry for my ignorance on these things. We do use a finger monitor and he always stops when out of breath (which is often). He doesn't get any exercise, especially now when he doesn't even go into stores with me. His intentions are good, but......
Thank you!

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No bottles just get thrown out and it's just a finger contraption no mask needed sounds like you are using one already. You could drive back down to Denver at night which is lower altitude than aspen

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 25, 2020
In reply to @sistertwo "Thank you! We decided to make a loop trip and go down to TX to see..." + (show)
@sistertwo

Thank you! We decided to make a loop trip and go down to TX to see our other daughter, too. Her work has a Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the hotel she manages so the timing works to see both of them.
I hadn't realized South Africa was a higher altitude, but an African Safari is on our bucket list. I don't suppose there is a leaf like that around here.
I have heard of even healthy people using O2 on their first night of being in the Vail/Avon area, but I don't know how it works. Does it require a mask? Is it something we should get here in Minnesota before we leave or wait until we get into CO? Do you return the bottles? Sorry for my ignorance on these things. We do use a finger monitor and he always stops when out of breath (which is often). He doesn't get any exercise, especially now when he doesn't even go into stores with me. His intentions are good, but......
Thank you!

Jump to this post

@sistertwo - I have heard this too. And when you need assistance and it's available you use it!

REPLY
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Sep 25, 2020
In reply to @sistertwo "Thank you! We decided to make a loop trip and go down to TX to see..." + (show)
@sistertwo

Thank you! We decided to make a loop trip and go down to TX to see our other daughter, too. Her work has a Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the hotel she manages so the timing works to see both of them.
I hadn't realized South Africa was a higher altitude, but an African Safari is on our bucket list. I don't suppose there is a leaf like that around here.
I have heard of even healthy people using O2 on their first night of being in the Vail/Avon area, but I don't know how it works. Does it require a mask? Is it something we should get here in Minnesota before we leave or wait until we get into CO? Do you return the bottles? Sorry for my ignorance on these things. We do use a finger monitor and he always stops when out of breath (which is often). He doesn't get any exercise, especially now when he doesn't even go into stores with me. His intentions are good, but......
Thank you!

Jump to this post

@sistertwo Sounds like you have a big trip planned! I live in Colorado, north of Denver. I would strongly suggest that your husband see his primary care doctor before he attempts this trip. Better safe than sorry.
A few things I recommend to people:
NO alcohol—it really does you in when going to a higher altitude
Be prepared for snow and ice! You need all-wheel drive or chains—it’s the law . Traffic is slow from Denver to aspen with lots of hills (mountains) so your car should be in good condition. Always carry extra blankets, water and food.
I’ll let these websites tell you more: than
https://www.pikes-peak.com/high-altitude-tips/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/understanding-altitude-sickness-5-best-tips-for-your-next-mountain-trip/
These are just some websites that may be helpful.
Good luck and safe travels!

REPLY
sistertwo | @sistertwo | Sep 25, 2020

Thank you, Becky. We are thinking about cutting over on Hwy 69 since we haven't traveled south of Granite before. We will be driving our 1500 AWD Ram truck, arriving Oct 23rd. Do you think we should go to Denver and then out? Besides the scary 82, we have also been to Estes Park and Pikes Peak. All trips were Both trips were fine for him, but his health was better then. Thank you for your tips.
Mayo actually just now returned his call from 2 days ago and I talked to her (he is sleeping). She said their schedule was weeks out and thought his condition should be seen locally within the next week or two. So I called another clinic (not the VA where he has a tele-appt set) and he will be seen Oct 5th by a doctor he saw in ER awhile back. I sure feel a lot better knowing he will be at a clinic that actually has a pulmonary department. Perhaps we will not be doing any traveling, but that's fine. This comes first! Thank you!
Sometimes when I post on this Mayo board, it clears my mind and puts the urgency in perspective. THANK YOU, ALL!

REPLY
1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 26, 2020
In reply to @sistertwo "Thank you, Becky. We are thinking about cutting over on Hwy 69 since we haven't traveled..." + (show)
@sistertwo

Thank you, Becky. We are thinking about cutting over on Hwy 69 since we haven't traveled south of Granite before. We will be driving our 1500 AWD Ram truck, arriving Oct 23rd. Do you think we should go to Denver and then out? Besides the scary 82, we have also been to Estes Park and Pikes Peak. All trips were Both trips were fine for him, but his health was better then. Thank you for your tips.
Mayo actually just now returned his call from 2 days ago and I talked to her (he is sleeping). She said their schedule was weeks out and thought his condition should be seen locally within the next week or two. So I called another clinic (not the VA where he has a tele-appt set) and he will be seen Oct 5th by a doctor he saw in ER awhile back. I sure feel a lot better knowing he will be at a clinic that actually has a pulmonary department. Perhaps we will not be doing any traveling, but that's fine. This comes first! Thank you!
Sometimes when I post on this Mayo board, it clears my mind and puts the urgency in perspective. THANK YOU, ALL!

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@sistertwo- I'm so glad to hear this! It's great to talk things through and get support. We are always here for you and it does tend to put things in perspective, doesn't it?

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1 reply
sistertwo | @sistertwo | Sep 27, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@sistertwo- I'm so glad to hear this! It's great to talk things through and get support...." + (show)
@merpreb

@sistertwo- I'm so glad to hear this! It's great to talk things through and get support. We are always here for you and it does tend to put things in perspective, doesn't it?

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It really does. I have referred several others to your site since I have found it so valuable. Thank you for your volunteering and mentoring!

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sistertwo | @sistertwo | Nov 9, 2020

I just thought I'd give you all an update. We got our portable oxygen (provided by the VA, but only because a non-VA doctor ordered it) and my husband used it while driving into the higher altitudes and nearly all day, and every night. However, we found out the altitude is not the only concern when traveling above 7000 ft. It was so dry that we had to run the humidifier, which affected the way the O2 machine worked (especially at night). It'd get stuffy, so we would want to run he ceiling fan, which affected the way the O2 machine worked (especially at night). It was actually quite a NIGHMARE! To literally have his life be dependent on a portable machine that didn't operate all that great (humidifier, air flow, needing to depend on an extension cord), his O2 levels went extremely low and we packed up and left after a few days. Breathing was a constant worry for him and his well being was a constant worry for me. Which means, no activities, no sleep. I had every reason to worry, as his O2 levels went dangerously low at times. It was a horrible decision to go and we will NEVER go to such a high altitude again.

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 9, 2020
In reply to @sistertwo "I just thought I'd give you all an update. We got our portable oxygen (provided by..." + (show)
@sistertwo

I just thought I'd give you all an update. We got our portable oxygen (provided by the VA, but only because a non-VA doctor ordered it) and my husband used it while driving into the higher altitudes and nearly all day, and every night. However, we found out the altitude is not the only concern when traveling above 7000 ft. It was so dry that we had to run the humidifier, which affected the way the O2 machine worked (especially at night). It'd get stuffy, so we would want to run he ceiling fan, which affected the way the O2 machine worked (especially at night). It was actually quite a NIGHMARE! To literally have his life be dependent on a portable machine that didn't operate all that great (humidifier, air flow, needing to depend on an extension cord), his O2 levels went extremely low and we packed up and left after a few days. Breathing was a constant worry for him and his well being was a constant worry for me. Which means, no activities, no sleep. I had every reason to worry, as his O2 levels went dangerously low at times. It was a horrible decision to go and we will NEVER go to such a high altitude again.

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I'm so sorry to hear that the altitude caused your husband so many problems, @sistertwo. You were certainly wise to leave early. I'm sure you saved yourself a lot of stress and health problems. How is your husband feeling now?

REPLY
1 reply
davej | @davej | Nov 9, 2020
In reply to @sistertwo "I just thought I'd give you all an update. We got our portable oxygen (provided by..." + (show)
@sistertwo

I just thought I'd give you all an update. We got our portable oxygen (provided by the VA, but only because a non-VA doctor ordered it) and my husband used it while driving into the higher altitudes and nearly all day, and every night. However, we found out the altitude is not the only concern when traveling above 7000 ft. It was so dry that we had to run the humidifier, which affected the way the O2 machine worked (especially at night). It'd get stuffy, so we would want to run he ceiling fan, which affected the way the O2 machine worked (especially at night). It was actually quite a NIGHMARE! To literally have his life be dependent on a portable machine that didn't operate all that great (humidifier, air flow, needing to depend on an extension cord), his O2 levels went extremely low and we packed up and left after a few days. Breathing was a constant worry for him and his well being was a constant worry for me. Which means, no activities, no sleep. I had every reason to worry, as his O2 levels went dangerously low at times. It was a horrible decision to go and we will NEVER go to such a high altitude again.

Jump to this post

So sorry to heat about your trip. When I was reading your post a couple of questions popped into my head. The humidifier you used was that brought by you or supplied by hotel? If supplied by someone it might not be very clean that's why the breathing issues. Ceiling fan same problem when you run that in a new environment it kicks up dust your body might not tolerate. To bad you couldn't enjoy the higher altitudes durning the day and drive to a lower altitude at night. Oh well you got back home safe and sound with a couple of bad memories but please dont let that detour you from traveling further because life's to short take care have a blessed day dave.

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2 replies
mrbill | @mrbill | Nov 10, 2020

Sistertwo,
May I ask how low your husband's o2 levels went with the high altitude? I may have missed it, but was wondering did the o2 do any good at all?
Thanks,
Mr Bill

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